As the state of Wisconsin considers eliminating funding for the farm-to-school coordinator position at the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection in its 2017-19 budget cycle, advocates fear they'll lose a crucial leg up for farmers and school districts.

The farm-to-school programs developed by the School District of Holmen, located just north of La Crosse in western Wisconsin, illustrate the complex questions a district must answer to get its efforts off the ground.

Kids who may not be interested in eating vegetables are more willing to take a risk and try new flavors when they grow produce themselves. That's one of the ideas behind a youth farmers' market that launched in Green Bay in 2016.

In recognition of concerning national and local trends, as well as to fill an identified gardening programming gap for teens and "tweens," the Brown County UW-Extension Community Gardens Program partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay to pilot a youth farmers' market program in the summer of 2016.